“Have you done something improper, Miss Woodward,” Mister Richards asked.
“Me, Sir?” Eliza stammered. “No, I am certain I have not.”
Mister Richards shook the message in his hand. He said, “According to this message, you have been summoned to the office of Judge Alexander Evans immediately. I believe this is quite irregular. You are instructed to go alone except for an attorney if you so wish.”
Eliza shook her head, confused by the summons. “I have no idea why I would be required to see a judge or bring an attorney. I don’t know any attorneys.”
“You need to leave for his office immediately. I could send our family attorney with you, but I don’t see the need to spend the funds. Please ask the judge’s secretary to send a report to my attorney so we can be certain you have not done anything to besmirch this family. Hurry now and return immediately,” Mister Richards instructed before returning to his breakfast.
Eliza nodded, retrieved her coat, and rushed out to the waiting carriage. She stared back at the house before she climbed into the carriage, wondering if she would have a job or home after meeting with the judge. Maybe someone had falsely accused her of something. But, if they had, wouldn’t the police have arrived to arrest her? Her stomach fluttered as she felt the carriage lurch forward, leading her to an uncertain future.
Twenty minutes later, the carriage stopped in front of a large brick building in the business section. The driver jumped out of the carriage and assisted Eliza to the boardwalk. She trembled slightly as she made her way to the building in search of the judge’s office.
When she found the correct office, she carefully opened the door and smiled at the young woman behind the desk.
“Excuse me,” Eliza began. “I received a note to meet Judge Alexander Evans as soon as possible. My name is Eliza Woodward.”
“Of course, Miss Woodward. The judge is expecting you. Follow me, please.”
Eliza followed the pleasant secretary to an inside door where the young woman knocked and announced Eliza.
“Please come in,” said the man seated behind an enormous mahogany desk in the center of the room. “I’m Judge Evans. I’m pleased you could arrive promptly.”
Eliza walked and stood in front of the large desk and said, “I don’t understand, sir, I mean your honor. Have I done something wrong? My employer didn’t believe that spending the funds necessary to have his attorney accompany me, so I am here alone. I’m utterly confused.”
“Please, Miss Woodward. Have a seat and don’t concern yourself. You are by no means in any trouble or difficulty other than what you experience at your residence from your employer.”
Eliza’s face blushed furiously, and she stammered, “I haven’t made a complaint. I still don’t understand.”
The judge nodded, “Your situation was brought to my attention by two friends of yours. Amalie Sperling and her sister-in-law Faith Sperling thought you might be the perfect candidate to help a friend of theirs in Wyoming.”
“Me?”
“Yes,” the judge said as he smiled. “Let me explain. I take it you are aware of how Amalie Sperling escaped the clutches of a notorious saloon owner when she married her husband, Deke, by proxy.”
Eliza nodded her understanding.
“It seems a friend of the Sperlings, a Mister Blake Montgomery, is also in need of a wife via proxy marriage since time is of the essence. Amalie suggested you might be willing since your employment situation is becoming more difficult to put it politely. I can marry you by proxy today. I’ll have someone escort you to your residence to collect your things and keep you safe from your employer, have a room available at the hotel tonight with meals paid. You’ll be aboard the train for Cheyenne in the morning.”
The confusion racing across Eliza’s face said more than her words. Still, she finally spoke, “I understand what you said, and I know how and why Amalie and Deke married. This would be a way for me to leave my employer’s residence before I am fired and lose my reputation in town, but are you sure this Mister Montgomery wants a wife?”
“I received a detailed telegram from both Mister Montgomery and Nate Sperling. When I marry someone, I never anticipate that they will not stay together for life, but if this marriage turns out to be more than you can bear or dangerous, you are free to apply for an annulment and mention me in the paperwork. I will help see that you receive the annulment quickly.”
Eliza sat for a moment, stunned at the proposal. It was an answer to her prayers. A way to get away from Mister Richard’s household and save her reputation, but to travel to Wyoming married to someone she’d never met. Yet, he was a friend of Amalie and Faith’s. It couldn’t be a bad thing.
“All right, I accept, your honor. What do I do now?”
“Nothing, my dear. My wife and daughter are waiting outside my office to act as witnesses. Once you’re married, I will have a guard escort you back to the Richard’s house to gather your belongings and take you to the hotel.”
Eliza nodded, and the clerk who had been sitting quietly in the corner, taking notes of the entire conversation rose and quickly escorted Missus Evans and Grace into the office.”
Grace hurried to Eliza's side and asked, “You’re getting married the same as Amalie. Is your future husband also a famous bounty hunter?”
“Grace,” the judge shouted as Eliza’s face paled. “That’s enough.”
“Yes, Father,” a subdued Grace whispered.
“Have no worries, Miss Woodward. I have it on good authority that Mister Montgomery owns a large successful cattle ranch and has never been a bounty hunter.”
Eliza did her best to smile as the judge began the ceremony if it could be called a ceremony. It was over before it started, and
